May Gurney’s Volvo FH16-660 8x4 Cat 3 heavy haulage tractor

May Gurney, the integrated support and construction services company, has taken delivery of a specialist Volvo FH16-660 8x4 heavy haulage tractor unit at its plant and transport office in Wymondham, Norfolk.

Richard Lingwood who drives the FH16 said, “May Gurney has a long tradition of running Volvo tractor units. You can’t beat them. In fact, all of the Volvo’s we’ve had, from F88’s, F12’s and FH’s have given sterling service. The main selling point is their reliability and excellence in terms of handling the weight. The planning and specification development process for this new FH16 started some 15 months ago and by working very closely with both the local Dealer and Volvo’s HQ in Warwick, it has turned out to be a fantastic bit of kit, perfect for this job.”

The truck features a Globetrotter XL ‘Prestige’ trim cab and is equipped with I-Shift transmission. It is plated at 150 tonnes GCW for STGO Cat 3 operations, the 8-axle combination usually operates up to 120 tonnes GCW hauling piling rigs. These are used for drilling foundations up to 30 metres deep for new houses and office blocks.

The additional lift and steer 16.5 ton axle was supplied and fitted by North East Truck Engineering Division at Billingham. The truck is complimented by aluminium mud wings, chassis infill and 850 litre diesel tank supplied by SB Components at Wisbech.

Richard added “I’ve only had the truck four days, but already the I-Shift is taking the stress and strains out of the driving. Once I get used to it, it will be fantastic.”

Supplied by the Norwich depot of Volvo Truck and Bus Centre, East Anglia, the vehicle will be operating across all of the U.K.

Richard continued “The local Dealer and the Salesman provides a service that is second to none. They’re always at the end of the phone and always get back to me. Last minute extra requests like wiring and plug fitment for a kettle and also CB radio installation were sorted just hours before delivery. Nothing was too much trouble.”